Thailand’s newest Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is the daughter of the controversial billionaire ex-premier Thaksin, has promised to improve the country’s slowing economy as she officially assumed office on Sunday.
Paetongtarn, at 37 years old, is the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the kingdom and takes office after the previous premier was dismissed by the court and the main opposition party was disbanded, plunging Thailand’s political scene into a new wave of uncertainty.
She is the third Shinawatra family member to hold the position of prime minister and aims to avoid the fate of her father and aunt, both of whom were ousted by military coups.
Paetongtarn formally accepted the official written command from King Maha Vajiralongkorn to form a government during a ceremony at the headquarters of a former pro-Thaksin TV station on Sunday.
She urged all Thais to collaborate in revitalizing the country’s economy, which has been struggling to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As the head of the government, I am willing to work with the parliament with an open mind, accepting all ideas to help advance the country,” she stated after the ceremony.
“Fellow Thais, this responsibility cannot be carried out by the Prime Minister alone. I hope to leverage the abilities of all generations and talented individuals in Thailand – from the cabinet, coalition, civil servants, private sector, and the public.”
Thaksin, aged 75, was present at the ceremony, standing beside Paetongtarn’s husband in the front row.
“She needs to work hard. Her strength lies in her youth, her ability to seek help from anyone – she is humble,” Thaksin said to reporters following the ceremony.
“Twenty-three years ago, she was supporting me, but today, I am supporting her.”
Leading a coalition government through her Pheu Thai party, the latest iteration of the political movement founded by her father in the early 2000s, Paetongtarn’s rise to power followed the ousting of the previous Prime Minister for breaching ethics rules.
For over two decades, Thailand has been embroiled in a power struggle between Thaksin and his allies and the conservative, pro-military, and pro-royalist elite of the nation.
Paetongtarn is a new entrant to politics, formerly managing the family business’s hotel branch until late 2022 when she ventured into politics before the last year’s general election, where Pheu Thai unexpectedly secured second place, losing to the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP).
– Controversial father –
After winning the majority of seats in the previous election, MFP was prevented from forming a government by conservative junta-appointed senators who were alarmed by its agenda to reform royal insult laws and dismantle influential business monopolies.
This situation allowed Pheu Thai to form a shaky coalition with pro-military parties that had strongly opposed Thaksin and his followers, leading to Srettha’s appointment.
In less than a year, Srettha became the third Prime Minister from a Thaksin-supported party to be dismissed by the Constitutional Court.
Observers will closely monitor Paetongtarn for any signs of influence from her father, who is the most influential but controversial politician in contemporary Thai politics.
During a press conference, she mentioned seeking advice from Thaksin when necessary but stressed her independence from him, asserting her own ideas and objectives.
When asked if he would officially serve as her advisor, Thaksin replied, “Not necessary. I am old. I am 75 years old, she can ask me anything.”
Thaksin revolutionized Thai politics in the early 2000s with populist policies that garnered enduring support from the rural population, leading to two electoral triumphs.
However, this success came with a price: he was despised by the influential elites and conservative establishment who viewed his rule as corrupt, authoritarian, and socially disruptive.
Ousted from premiership by the military in 2006, Thaksin went into exile two years later but remained active in national affairs, drawing criticism from his opponents who accused him of intervention.
He made a return last year on the same day Srettha was appointed as Prime Minister and was immediately imprisoned on charges of corruption and abuse of power from his tenure in office.
However, his eight-year sentence was swiftly reduced to one year by the king, and he was subsequently granted parole due to his age and deteriorating health, finally receiving a royal pardon on Saturday.
tp-pdw/mtp
